Etmopterus benchleyi: The shark named after JAWS author Peter Benchley
The ninja lanternshark (Etmopterus benchleyi), a member of the Etmopteridae family, inhabits the eastern Pacific Ocean from Nicaragua to Panama and Costa Rica. It is found at depths ranging from 836 to 1443 meters along the continental slope. E. benchleyi is the only Etmopterus species currently known from the Pacific Coast of Central America.
The species was described from eight specimens collected off the Pacific Coast of Central America during an expedition by the Spanish research ship Miguel Oliver, led by D. Ross Robertson of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. One holotype and four paratypes were documented and deposited at the United States National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
The ninja lanternshark is black, with white markings around its mouth and eyes. The maximum length of male specimens collected during the Miguel Oliver expedition is 325 millimeters (12.8 inches), while that of female specimens is 515 millimeters (20.3 inches). This species is distinct from other members of the E. spinax clade due to the dense concentrations of dermal denticles around its eyes and gill openings.
The ninja lanternshark (Etmopterus benchleyi)
Features
The ninja lanternshark has a short, conically shaped snout. Its upper jaw teeth are small, straight, and pointed, whereas the lower jaw teeth are larger. The first row of the upper jaw contains about 26-30 teeth, and the first row of the lower jaw has about 30-36 teeth. Its fins are small and rounded; the first and second dorsal fins are either equal in size or the first is slightly smaller than the second. A unique characteristic of this species is the dense concentrations of dermal denticles around its eyes and gill slits.
Bioluminescence & Diet
Living at deep-sea depths, the ninja lanternshark's dark coloration helps it blend into the lack of light. This dark pigment acts as camouflage, aiding in hiding from predators and sneaking up on prey. In shallower waters, its luminescent underside mimics the sunlight filtering from above, camouflaging it from predators below. In the deep sea, its luminous appearance attracts smaller prey, such as shrimp, small fish, and other crustaceans.
Image: A) Upper and lower in situ dentition of specimen before preservation; B) upper right functional tooth row showing the labial face
Origin of Name
The shark was identified by researcher Victoria Vásquez. During a family gathering, her younger cousin suggested the name, noting that “ninjas are awesome.” The specific name, benchleyi, honors Peter Benchley, the author of the 1974 novel "Jaws," which inspired Steven Spielberg's film. Discovered relatively recently, there is still much to learn about the ninja lanternshark.
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